NFL Weekly Preview Week 16 2023: Key Injuries, Difference Makers & Projected Upsets

The 16th week is upon us in the National Football League. For many, it is the first week of Fantasy Football playoffs. Here are the key injuries, difference makers and projected upsets.

Key Injuries

The three players who have been officially ruled out of week 16 of note are Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase of Harvey, Louisiana (shoulder), Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell of McDonough, Georgia (torn anterior cruciate ligament) and Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips of Wichita, Kansas (wrist surgery).

Chase is currently seventh in receiving yards with 1156, and is clearly the Bengals most dynamic offensive player, even more so with quarterback Joe Burrow out for the year with a wrist injury.  Meanwhile, Mitchell has emerged as a leading force in the Ravens backfield. In his rookie season he has 396 rushing yards and two touchdowns and nine catches for 93 yards.

Fantasy Stars

The top rated quarterback in Week 16 is Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. The native of Houston, Texas is projected to get 230 passing yards, 54 rushing yards and two touchdowns on Christmas Day against the New York Giants. The top rated wide receiver in Week 16 is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson of Saint Rose, Louisiana. He is projected to get six catches for 87 receiving yards and one touchdown on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. The top rated running back is running back Christian McCaffrey of Castle Rock, Colorado. On Christmas evening against the Baltimore Ravens, he is projected to get 86 rushing yards, 32 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Projected Upsets

I like three underdogs to win this week. They are the Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys. I just cannot trust the Jets offense, the Seahawks are playing on the shorter week, and the Cowboys’ offense should be better than the Dolphins’ offense with Tyreek Hill not at 100%.

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